My time spent in Milan, Italy was marvelous to say the least. After spending a lovely weekend in Bologna, the Forum-Nexus gang headed to our next three-day stop to absorb all the fashion, architecture, and food awaiting us in Milan.
One aspect I continually looked forward to upon the arrival of a new city was the architecture, and Milan certainly didn’t disappoint. The Milanese architecture is very distinct compared to the rest of Italy. Milan beautifully integrates an authentic, aged style with urban designs. There was everything from jaw-dropping skyscrapers to prized, artistic landmarks. Two of my favorite sites to see were the Duomo di Milano and UniCredit Tower. The Duomo di Milano is the oldest gothic cathedral in Europe and the pride of Milan. I, too, fell awestruck to the grand beauty. My friends and I went to the city center just to look at it every day. Frankly, pictures don’t do the Duomo justice. On the other hand, the UniCredit Tower was also a treat to visit with Forum-Nexus. Being the tallest building in Italy and the headquarters to Europe’s leading Bank, UniCredit made for a fascinating professional visit. The highlight of our visit was the extensive tour, which eventually brought us to the top floor to take in one of the best views in Milan.
Since Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world, the importance of shopping and beauty to the Milanese was evident. Everyone was dressed well! There was at least one store on every street, not including the sprawling plazas in multiple parts of the city. My friends and I had fun exploring all of the little shops and visiting the many high-end retailers. To our delight, we didn’t leave empty-handed because there were shops for every budget.
When in Italy, you really can’t go wrong with the food. My friends and I found an abundance of laid-back restaurants that served modern Italian cuisine such as pastas and pizza. Traditional Milanese dishes included risotto alla milanese and cotoletta alla milanese. As for dessert, we discovered the Magnum Pleasure Store; a dessert bar for customizing Magnum ice cream bars. Yes, it is just as amazing as it sounds! I went twice while in Milan. 
And lastly, the nightlife of Milan is definitely worth a mention. The city has everything from casual bars to high-end nightclubs and everything else in between. There were a few nice bars within walking distance from the hotel where Forum-Nexus students hung out at night. The locals were welcoming and the atmosphere was never intimidating; even amongst the beautiful and fashionable.
Milan encompasses all the best qualities of the Italian culture with a modern twist. From the people to the buildings – everything is beautiful. I hope to return again to stroll the streets and do some more great shopping!